A UK work visa is a vital document if you are looking to work in the UK. If you are reading this, it means that you are curious to know how to apply for a UK work visa.
Developing your profession abroad can be a valuable experience. Additionally, the UK is a well-liked location for jobs, training, and study due to the abundance of organisations that sponsor work permits there.
You must first determine if you require a work permit before deciding to relocate (or travel) to the UK in search of employment. Immigration and lengthy travel policies can be complex and prone to adjustment in multiple nations. Because the UK exited the EU, this is currently true for the nation. Therefore, it is crucial to learn as much as possible regarding the various UK working visas and visas offered.
You will learn more about the steps you must take to secure a work visa to the UK from this in-depth blog. Keep read.
How to apply for a UK work visa.
Once you have decided on a work permit or visa, you can typically apply and make payment online through the gov.uk portal. You will often be permitted to do so three months prior to the start of your work. You will also have to present identifying documentation along with your related records.
Based on your country of origin and passport, you may be asked to utilize the “UK Immigration: ID Check” mobile phone app or make a scheduled appointment at a visa application center. The average wait period for a work visa approval for applications submitted outside the UK is 3 weeks. Meanwhile, by 2025, the UK intends to have its entire immigration system and approvals totally digital.
Additionally, there are alternative options for individuals to work in the UK apart from the standard work permit and visa methods. For instance, Commonwealth citizens with a British grandparent can request an affinity visa to work in the nation if they match other entry requirements. These people might also be granted the privilege of staying in the UK.
An employee of an organization who obtained indefinite permission to remain (ILR) and left the UK for longer than two years may only require a returning resident visa in order to reenter the country and resume employment.
After applying for a UK work visa, you most definitely will attend an interview and it is crucial to be well-prepared and remember facts in a situation like this.
Types of UK Work Visas.
The Points-Based System is the primary method of immigration to the United Kingdom. Prior to entering the country, immigrants from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) submit an application to one of five levels according to their intentions to work, study, invest, or train there. This means that you must successfully complete a points-based evaluation that examines the prerequisites, rights, and eligibility requirements for every tier.
For entry clearance or to stay in the UK, you must receive a certain minimum amount of points depending on your age, education, language ability, income, and financial resources.
All five tiers cover some visas:
Tier one visa:If you are a high-skilled employee, business owner, investor, or postgraduate student who resides outside of the European Union (EU) and the European Economic Area (EEA), you are eligible for a Tier One visa ad you can apply without a job offer.
Tier two visa:If you are outside the EEA, a skilled worker, an athlete, and a member of the clergy, you may seek a visa under this category if you have a job opportunity and can satisfy a need in the labour market.
Tier three visa:If you are a contract labourer with low skill level, you are eligible for Tier 3 visas. The authorities, nevertheless, opted not to hire immigrants from countries outside the EU for tier-three positions, and these visas have subsequently been abolished.
Tier four visa:If you are foreign students older than 16 who wish to attend a school, college, or university in the nation, you must request a tier four visa.
Tier five visa:The fifth tier includes six sub-tiers of temporary employees, including those employed in the charitable, religious, and working-holiday industries as well as artistic and athletic roles.
Prerequisites to get a UK Work Visa
Depending on the tier and visa you require, there are different requirements for a work visa for the United Kingdom. With the exception of the extraordinary skill specified in tier one, tier two includes the majority of long-term visas. The most popular visa for businesses that are growing is the tier two general UK work visa, which is available to anyone who has an offer of employment in the UK but is not from the EEA or Switzerland.
All candidates for general work visas require a licenced sponsorship or an employer. Although the conditions differ depending on the kind of work permit, the following are the most typical:
- A form of application
- Two recent colour pictures in the past six months
- A genuine passport
- Evidence of financial capacity to afford living expenses in the UK
- Evidence of accommodations
- A complete travel schedule
- Results of TB test
- A biometric profile
- If you are staying with relatives or friends, a visa invitation letter
- Paid UK visa fees
- Translations into Welsh or English of any document that is not in those languages
Do you have questions that have not been answered in this post? Please feel free to leave them in the comments part of this article, or visit Setlinn to connect with people in the study, work and live abroad community who can provide you with all the information you need. Connect right away to avoid missing out on important information.
